A radiological sign of entrapment of the median nerve in the elbow joint after posterior dislocation. A report of two cases

Two boys with entrapment of the median nerve in the elbow joint after closed reduction of a posterior dislocation with fracture of the medial epicondyle showed a characteristic radiological sign in the anteroposterior radiograph after two to three months. The sign was a depression in the cortex on the ulnar side of the distal humeral metaphysis, with interruption of the local periosteal reaction. At operation in both patients the depression was found to correspond with the place where the median nerve reached the posterior surface of the humerus. Radiographs taken after transverse section of the nerve above and below the joint capsule and end-to-end suture showed gradual disappearance of the cortical depression.